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Potsdam business owners hope to fill tractor-trailer with emergency relief items for Hurricane Sandy victims; donations sought

Posted 11/6/12

By JIMMY LAWTON POTSDAM -- Potsdam business owners are hoping to fill a tractor-trailer with emergency relief items for victims of Hurricane Sandy. Cassie Laurence, owner of Northern Ice and Dance , …

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Potsdam business owners hope to fill tractor-trailer with emergency relief items for Hurricane Sandy victims; donations sought

Posted

By JIMMY LAWTON

POTSDAM -- Potsdam business owners are hoping to fill a tractor-trailer with emergency relief items for victims of Hurricane Sandy.

Cassie Laurence, owner of Northern Ice and Dance, said she and other Potsdam business owners are asking the community to help fill the trailer with food, equipment, toiletries, blankets, brooms, shovels and other items to help those who suffered major damage downstate.

"We didn't get hit as hard as they did here. We have plenty of food and water. We still have power. They need our help and I think we need to support our fellow New Yorkers."

Laurence said the drive stemmed from a conversation with Randy Lavalle of Lavalle Transportation Inc., who donated the truck, and Rob Bicknell of Bicknell Appliance and Home Interiors.

"I contacted Randy and Rob and we just kind of put it together," she said.

The truck will be parked behind Bicknell's tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. The store is at 46 Market St., and a public parking lot is located in the rear of the building, accessible from both Elm Street and Munson Street off Market Street.

Laurence said Norwood Volunteer Fire Department has donated 50 cases of bottled water and is challenging other departments to match the donation.

Items can be dropped off behind Bicknell Appliance and Home Interiors.. The truck will be there and volunteers will be there to load items into the truck.

If no one is there, people can go to back door of the store to seek assistance.

Donations will be delivered to Nazareth Housing Inc. and shipped to other locations in the area that are in need.

Volunteers are welcome to help man the donation truck. Anyone looking to help should contact Laurence at 265-0009 or Rob Bicknell at 265-3900.

Anyone dropping off large donations should call prior to visiting.

Laurence said all generosity is appreciated, but it is important for those donating to stick to the list of items included below.

She said the items have been specifically requested from groups in the area.

"We know people want to give clothes and other items and we appreciate it, but these are the things they really need," she said.

Laurence is hoping the truck will be filled by the end of the week.

Items needed include:

•Construction/Cleaning Supplies

Work gloves

Heavy duty waterproof gloves

Work goggles

N-95 respirator masks

brooms, mops, rakes, shovels

sponges

heavy duty garbage bags

spray bottles

bleach

duct tape, masking tape

markers, pens

masks

towels / rags

tarps

generators

pumps

tools

cleaning products

•Light Sources

Flashlights

Lanterns

and things to power them such as batteries

•Things to Keep People Warm

blankets

hand warmers/hotties

heavy winter coats

boots

thick socks

Gloves/mittens

Hats

•Food/Water

bottled water

non-perishable food and quick snacks like granola bars and snack packs

Juice boxes

Canned food

paper and plastic dishes, utensils

•Baby Items

baby food

diapers, wipes, powder, cream etc.

•Sanitary Items

Toilet paper

paper towels

hand sanitizers /wipes

toiletries – deodorants, shampoos, toothbrushes, toothpaste, etc.

first aid kits

•Pet Food

Dog, cat, bird, hamster